Animal enclosure with handles

ABSTRACT

An animal enclosure includes a kennel body including a rotational molded wall formed from a plastic material. The kennel body defines an interior space shaped to accommodate one or more animals, and defines a door opening shaped to allow the animal to enter and exit the kennel body. A hoop-shaped door frame is disposed on the kennel body proximate the door opening. A door is disposed on the door frame, and the door is pivotally moveable relative to the door frame between an open position and a closed position. A latch is disposed on the door. First and second handles are disposed on the kennel body to allow a user to move the kennel.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional U.S. Patent Application is a continuation of andclaims priority to and benefit of co-pending non-provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/011,452 filed Jan. 29, 2016, which is acontinuation-in-part of and claims priority to and benefit of patentapplication Ser. No. 29/539,652 filed Sep. 16, 2015 (now issued) andalso provisional application No. 62/109,606 filed Jan. 29, 2015, andalso co-pending patent application Ser. No. 14/452,010 filed Aug. 5,2014, which is a non-provisional of provisional application No.61/862,393 filed Aug. 5, 2013, all of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to structures for housinganimals and more particularly to portable pet kennels and pet crates. Insome embodiments, the present invention relates to portable pet cratesfor housing or transporting dogs.

Various types of structural enclosures for storing and transportinganimals are known in the art. Conventional portable animal crates suchas those used for housing and transporting dogs typically include aplastic or metal wire construction and include an interior enclosurewith a selectively openable door. Conventional portable animal cratesgenerally include a single-layer construction such as a single layer ofplastic, metal or wire mesh. The single-layer material forms thestructural support and also defines the enclosure space within theinterior of the crate. Conventional single-layer animal crates of thistype are generally sized to easily fit in the bed of a truck or thecargo area of a sport-utility vehicle, and such crates are often used bysportsmen, disabled persons, rescue, military and/or law enforcementpersonnel for storing and transporting dogs. Such conventional portableanimal crates provide a benefit of being relatively lightweight andportable such that a single person can lift and move the crate.Additionally, these types of conventional animal crates are generallysized to accommodate only the animal or animals to be housed within,thereby enhancing the portable nature of the product.

One problem with conventional portable animal crates is the interiorenvironment may become soiled during use. For example, many portableplastic animal crates include a bottom that is continuously molded intothe side walls rising from the bottom. As such, any liquid or animalwaste accumulation inside the bottom of the crate will remain in thecrate. When such crates are used with wet animals or in wet conditions,water and mud has a tendency to accumulate in the bottom of the crate.This generally creates an uncomfortable environment for the animal.Moreover, the accumulation of water in the bottom of an animal crate maybe harmful to animals in wet cold conditions such as those experiencedby sporting dogs during winter hunting seasons. Additionally, the lackof drainage in the crate makes it difficult to wash out the interior ofthe crate with a spray hose.

A further problem with conventional portable animal crates includes theinability of a crate to be easily secured to a structure such as the bedof a pickup truck or the interior of a sport utility vehicle. Duringtravel, it is often preferable to have the crate securely tied down to arigid object. Many conventional plastic animal crates do not includeexternal attachment points for securing webbing, rope, or other supportsto the crate. Users of conventional crates often place tie-downs overthe roof of the crate. However, without attachment points, the tie-downmaterial may slip or become dislodges, especially during wet weather, orduring a high-impact situation such as a vehicle accident. When atie-down becomes loose, the crate may undesirable separate from thevehicle and further injure the animal housed within. Conventional animalcrates also have a tendency to slide on surfaces when unsecured. Thismay further enhance the potential for damage to the crate and/or theanimal inside the crate during transport.

Another problem with conventional animal crates is difficulty moving thecrate from place to place due to a lack of locations to grasp the animalcrate.

What is needed, then, are improvements to animal enclosures to addressthese and other problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a portable animal enclosure havingnumerous features to address one or more of the problems noted above.

A portable animal enclosure apparatus includes a kennel body. A dooropening is defined at a first end of the kennel body, and a rear wall isdefined at a second end of the kennel body opposite the door opening. Adoor frame is disposed on the kennel body at the door opening. A door isdisposed on the door frame, and the door is pivotally attached to thedoor frame and is moveable between a closed position and an openposition. In some embodiments, the enclosure is rotational molded.

In further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a portableanimal kennel apparatus including an outer wall and an opening shaped toallow the animal to enter and exit the kennel. A door is pivotallyattached to the kennel body at a door hinge.

In some embodiments, the kennel apparatus is rotational molded.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a portable animalkennel apparatus including a first housing member including a firstinner wall and a first outer wall spaced by a first wall gap, and asecond housing member including a second inner wall and a second outerwall spaced by a second wall gap. The first and second housing membersare securable together to form a housing for the animal. In someembodiments, the first and second housing members are both rotationalmolded.

In some embodiments, it is an object of the present disclosure toprovide a double-walled animal enclosure for housing animals duringtransportation.

A further object of the present disclosure in some embodiments is toprovide an animal enclosure having improved structural rigidity andstability.

Yet another object of the present disclosure in some embodiments is toprovide an animal enclosure with improved thermal insulation of theenclosed space, during hot and/or cold conditions.

Another object of the present disclosure in some embodiments is tofacilitate attachment of the animal enclosure to a structure usingintegral attachment bars.

A further object of the present disclosure in some embodiments is toprevent the enclosure from slipping across a surface during use by usingnon-skid feet.

Yet another object of the present disclosure in some embodiments isprovide an animal enclosure with a moat and drain hole that will allowliquid accumulation to exit the interior of the enclosure.

Numerous other objects, features and advantages of the present inventionwill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading ofthe following disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an animalenclosure in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an animalenclosure in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a lowerhousing member for an animal enclosure in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an upperhousing member for an animal enclosure in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an upperhousing member for an animal enclosure in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an animalenclosure in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of an animal enclosurewith a door open about ninety degrees from a closed position.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of an animal enclosurewith a door open greater than about 180 degrees from a closed position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of an animal enclosurewith a door open about 270 degrees from a closed position.

FIG. 10 illustrates a rear perspective view of an embodiment of ananimal enclosure in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side elevation view of an embodiment of an animalenclosure in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 12A illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of Section 12A-12Afrom FIG. 11.

FIG. 12B illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of Section 12B-12Bfrom FIG. 11 in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 13A illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of Section 13A-13Afrom FIG. 9 in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 13B illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of Section 13B-13Bfrom FIG. 9 in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an animalenclosure having a cross-sectional plane of reference.

FIG. 15A illustrates a partial cross-sectional perspective view of anembodiment of an animal enclosure with an air gap between inner andouter walls.

FIG. 15B illustrates a partial cross-sectional perspective view of anembodiment of an animal enclosure having a filler material between innerand outer walls.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an animalenclosure in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an animalenclosure in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a door framein accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a door framein accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a door frameinstalled in an animal enclosure in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a door frameinstalled in an animal enclosure in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a door inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a door inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an animalenclosure in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of an animal enclosurewith a door partially open in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 illustrates a front elevation view of an embodiment of an animalenclosure with a door in closed position in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 27 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an animalenclosure with a door in an open position in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 28 illustrates a front perspective view of an embodiment of ananimal enclosure showing an exploded view of a side grille in accordancewith the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a side grillin accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 30 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an animalenclosure in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of anembodiment of an animal enclosure with the door assembly positioned forright hand opening in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of anembodiment of an animal enclosure with the door assembly positioned forleft hand opening in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of ananimal enclosure (also referred as a kennel or crate) designated by thenumeral 10. Animal crate, animal enclosure, or kennel 10, includes ahousing or kennel body 12 defining an interior space shaped and sized toaccommodate one or more animals. In some embodiments, kennel body 12 isshaped to accommodate a dog. Kennel 10 is also shaped and sized to beportable in some embodiments. The size and shape of kennel 10 allowskennel 10 to be easily transported from a residence or building to avehicle or other mode of transportation. Additionally, in someembodiments, kennel 10 is portable and is shaped and sized to complywith one or more regulations for traveling with pets on commercialairlines.

Kennel 10 includes a door 24 hingedly attached to the kennel body 12.Door 24 includes a metal wire construction to allow airflow through thedoor into and out of the interior enclosure in some embodiments. Door 24includes a latch 26 selectively engageable with a correspondingstrike-plate 28. The strike-plate 28 is mounted on the door frameadjacent the door opening 48 to provide additional rigidity. When door24 is fully closed, door 24 covers door opening 48. Door 24 is pivotableabout a door hinge 30 located on or near kennel body 12. Door 24 mayfreely rotate about door hinge 30 to open or close door 24.

Kennel 10 also includes first and second handles 22 a, 22 b positionedon the kennel body 12. In some embodiments, first and second handles 22a, 22 b are located on the kennel roof 16 at front and rear positions.First and second handles 22 a, 22 b may include any suitable handles,and in some embodiments include a first and second nylon webbingmaterial 21 a, 21 b with a first and second rubberized grip region 23 a,23 b, respectively. First handle 22 a is secured to kennel body 12 usingfirst and second handle fasteners 25 a, 25 b, and second handle 22 b issecured to handle body 12 using third and fourth handle fasteners 25 c,25 d. As such, the handles 22 a, 22 b may be removed and replaced in theevent a handle becomes damaged or worn.

Kennel body 12 includes a two-piece construction in some embodiments. Insome embodiments, kennel body 12 includes an upper housing member 18 anda lower housing member 20, seen in FIGS. 2-6. Each of upper and lowerhousing members 18, 20 may be formed independently of each other andsubsequently joined together to form kennel 10. In some embodiments,upper and lower housing members 18, 20 are secured together using one ormore fasteners 78 a, 78 b, 78 c, etc. seen in FIG. 6. Each fastenerextends between upper and lower housing members 18, 20 to provide aconnection between the members. In some embodiments, lower housingmember 20 includes a plurality of fastener holes 58 to allow passage offasteners 78. A corresponding socket or other fastener receiver may belocated at a corresponding location on upper housing member 18. In someembodiments, threaded sockets 74 are molded into upper housing member 18to receive a threaded end of a fastener 78 inserted upwardly towardupper housing member 18. In alternative embodiments, threaded socketsare installed in lower housing member to receive fasteners installedthrough corresponding fastener holes defined in the upper housing member18.

Kennel 10 may be provided fully assembled using fasteners 78, or may besold with upper and lower housing members 18, 20 separated to reducepackaging size. Kennel 10 is configured in some embodiments such that auser may construct or disassemble the upper and lower housing members18, 20 together simply by stacking the members and installing orremoving fasteners 78. To ease the assembly procedure, in someembodiments, lower housing member 20 includes one or more pilotprotrusions 66 a, 66 b, 66 c extending upwardly toward upper housingmember 18. Each pilot protrusion 66 is shaped to fit in a correspondingpilot recess 68 a, 68 b, 68 c defined in a corresponding lower edge ofupper housing member 18. In some embodiments, each pilot protrusion 66and pilot recess 68 is formed surrounding a fastener hole 58. Thisarrangement allows upper and lower housing members 18, 20 to be biasedto an aligned position when stacked such that it becomes easier toinstall fasteners 78.

Kennel 10 includes a double-walled construction in some embodiments. Assuch, kennel 10 includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner andouter walls are separated by a gap, and a space is provided between theinner and outer walls, as seen in FIG. 12A. An upper gap 40 shown inFIG. 12A is defined between inner and outer walls on upper housingmember 18, and a lower gap 42 is defined between inner and outer wallson lower housing member 20. A plurality of integrated support standoffs,or kiss-offs, may be positioned in the gap to provide local structuralsupport between opposing walls. Each support standoff may extend from anouter wall to an inner wall, or vice versa, to provide a localstructural reinforcement. Each standoff at its maximum depth may contactthe opposing wall. In some embodiments, each standoff at its maximumdepth engages and is molded to the opposing wall. In some embodiments,the gap between inner and outer walls is filled with air. As such,kennel 10 in some embodiments includes a region of air space betweeninner and outer walls. The region of air space may provide enhancedinsulation for the kennel without adding significant weight. This isadvantageous in many applications, as the air insulation layer mayprovide improved thermal performance in both hot and cold conditions.Additionally, the double-walled construction including inner and outerwalls separated by a gap provides greater strength and resistance toimpact as compared to conventional single-walled animal crates.Referring further to FIG. 12A, in some embodiments, upper housing member18 includes an upper inner wall 70 and an upper outer wall 72. Upperinner and outer walls 70, 72 may be continuously formed from a plasticor polymer material in some embodiments. Similarly, lower housing member20 includes a lower inner wall 60 and a lower outer wall 62. Lower innerand outer walls 60, 62 may also be continuously formed from a plastic orpolymer material in some embodiments.

As seen in FIG. 12B, in some embodiments, the gap between inner andouter walls is filled with a filler material. The filler material 44 mayinclude a foam or expanded foam material in some embodiments.Alternatively, filler material 44 may include a fiber, resin, polymer,or any other suitable filler material. Filler material 44 spans the gapbetween inner and outer walls on upper and/or lower housing members 18,20. Filler material 44 provides additional strength to kennel body 12.Filler material 44 also provides additional thermal insulation forkeeping the interior of kennel 10 cool or warm. In some embodiments,upper housing member 18 includes a first filler material 44 a, and lowerhousing member 20 includes a second dissimilar material 44 b. In otherembodiments, first and second filler materials 44 a, 44 b aresubstantially the same. In some embodiments, only one of upper and lowerhousing members includes a filler material.

Although the double-walled construction of some embodiments of kennelbody 12 may be formed using any suitable process, in some embodiments,kennel body 12 includes a double-walled construction formed using arotational molding manufacturing process, sometimes referred to asroto-molding. In such embodiments, upper housing member 18 is formedindependently of lower housing member 20 in separate molds. Inalternative embodiments, kennel body 12 includes a single rotationalmolded unitary construction having inner and outer walls, and kennel 10is not split into upper and lower housing members. In some embodiments,the inner and outer walls are continuously formed in a molding processand are joined continuously around the edges.

Kennel 10 also includes a plurality of vent holes, or windows 50 a, 50b, etc. Each vent hole provides an opening in a side of the kennel toallow air to flow into or to leave the enclosed space within theinterior of the kennel. Each vent hole 50 is bordered by upright ventsupports 51 a, 51 b, etc. Vent holes 50 and corresponding vent supports51 may be located in upper housing member 18 only, in lower housingmember 20 only, or on both upper and lower housing members 18, 20. Eachvent support 51 provides increased structural rigidity and strength tothe kennel 10. For example, a double-walled region may typically includeonly two layers with a space or filler material in between. However,vent supports 51 provide two extra local transverse walls facingadjacent vents, further increasing strength. As seen in across-sectional view in FIG. 15A taken along the plane 15A from FIG. 14,an embodiment of a vent support 51 a includes an outer support wall 53a, an inner support wall 53 b, a first side support wall 53 c facingfirst vent hole 50 a, and a second side support wall 53 d opposite firstside support wall and facing second vent hole 50 b. The addition offirst and second side support walls 53 c, 53 d provides transverse wallsthat provide additional strength to the kennel 10. The supports 51 alsoprovide reinforcement in the area around a pet's head when located onupper housing member 18, as seen in FIG. 18A.

As seen in FIG. 11 and FIG. 15B, an inclined vent ramp 92 is defined atthe lower end of each vent hole 50 in some embodiments. Each vent ramp92 includes a sloped surface, sloping downwardly from the local innerwall to the outer wall. The vent ramp 92 having a surface that slopesdownwardly from the inner wall toward the outer wall allows rain orother moisture incident on the region between vent supports to drainoutwardly away from the interior of the kennel 10. This helps to keepthe interior of the kennel dry when transported or used in wetconditions.

As seen in FIG. 15A, each support 51 may include a hollow interiorregion filled with air. In other embodiments, as seen in FIG. 15B, eachupright support includes a filler material 44 that is dispersedthroughout the region between inner and outer walls on kennel body 12.Although upright supports 51 are shown in a vertical orientation in thefigures, the supports 51 may include other angled or curved uprightorientations in other embodiments.

Referring further to FIG. 3 and FIG. 12A, in some applications, a moat54 is defined around the perimeter of floor 56 on the interior of kennelbody 12, and particularly on lower housing member 20. Moat 54 provides arecessed region for draining water off of floor 56. Moat 54 includes aslightly lower elevation than the floor 56. In some embodiments, moat 54includes a depth greater than about ½ inch. In other embodiments, moat54 includes a depth of between about ½ inch and about two inches. Assuch, liquid inside the enclosure may accumulate in moat 54 while floor56 stays relatively dry.

Additionally, in some embodiments, a drain hole 64 is defined in one ormore walls of kennel body 12. In some embodiments, drain hole 64 isdefined in lower housing member 20 in or near the rear wall 88. Drainhole 64 allows liquid to exit the kennel 10. A removable drain plug 80,seen in FIG. 10, is installed in drain hole 64. Drain plug 80 may beremoved to allow liquid to exit kennel 10. An additional drain recess 55is defined in moat 54 adjacent drain hole 64 in the floor of lowerhousing member 20 in some embodiments. The drain recess 55 allows liquidto more easily escape through drain hole 64. As seen in FIG. 10, in someembodiments a plug recess 82 is formed in the outer wall of lowerhousing member 20 adjacent drain hole and drain plug 80. Plug recess 82is integrally formed to provide additional structural integrity and alsoto recess drain plug 80 so that it does not protrude beyond the rearouter profile of kennel housing 12. During use, drain plug 80 may beremoved so that the kennel 10 will drain water from a wet animal to theexterior of the kennel 10.

Referring further to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 7-9, kennel 10 in some embodimentsincludes a door 24 that is moveable from a fully closed position to afully open position. In the closed position, indicated by line 27 inFIG. 7, door 24 covers door opening 48. Door 24 may be opened about doorhinge 30 away from the door opening. Door 34 includes an L-shaped doorbracket 34 in some embodiments. Door bracket 34 is secured at one end todoor 24 and at the other end to door hinge 30. As such, door bracket 34provides an angled extension protruding from a vertical edge of door 24.In some embodiments, door bracket 34 is substantially ninety degrees. Inother embodiments, door bracket 34 includes any other suitable angle.Referring to FIG. 7, door 24 may be opened to a first angle 25 a ofninety degrees or greater. Referring to FIG. 8, door 24 may be furtheropened to a second angle 25 b greater than 180 degrees from the fullyclosed position indicated by line 27.

A kennel bracket 32 protrudes from kennel body 12 in some embodiments,and door hinge 30 is positioned on the distal end of kennel bracket 32.Door hinge 30 is offset from the nearest outer side wall of kennel body12 by a door hinge offset distance, or first offset distance 36, seen inFIG. 7. First offset distance 36 is generally the normal distancebetween the door hinge and the local outermost side wall surface.Similarly, door hinge 30 is offset from the plane of door 24 by a doorbracket offset distance 38, or second offset distance, seen in FIG. 7.In some embodiments, door bracket offset distance 38 is equal to orgreater than door hinge offset distance 36. This allows door 24 to berotated to a third angle 25 c shown in FIG. 9 about 270 degrees awayfrom the closed position to a location alongside the outer wall ofkennel body 12. In this configuration, door 24 may be opened and swungaround to the side of kennel body 12 in a compact position. This allowskennel 10 to remain open without having door 24 extending outwardly fromkennel body 12 and taking up too much space.

Referring further to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in some embodiments, kennel 10includes numerous integrated attachment bars located near the uppercorners of kennel body 12. First and second attachment bars 52 a, 52 bare located along a first edge of kennel body 12, and third and fourthattachment bars 52 c, 52 d are located along a second edge of kennelbody 12. Each attachment bar is located in a corresponding attachmentrecess 63 integrally formed in the outer wall of kennel body 12. Eachattachment bar 52 is mounted in a socket such that the bar spans itsassociated attachment recess 63. As such, the attachment bars areflushly mounted along the outer profile of the kennel body and do notundesirably extend outwardly from the kennel body where they couldbecome broken or damaged. Additionally, the corresponding attachmentrecess 63 surrounding each attachment bar 52 provides clearance spacefor passage of one or more tie-downs, webbing, strap, rope or chains forsecuring kennel 10 to a structure such as a truck bed. Each attachmentbar 52 also allows kennel 10 to be locked securely to a structure toprevent theft of kennel 10 in some embodiments. In some embodiments,first and second attachment bars 52 a, 52 b are separate metal bars eachinstalled in its own socket. In other embodiments, first and secondattachment bars 52 a, 52 b form one continuously metal bar insertedthrough the entire length of kennel body 12.

Referring further to FIG. 5, in some embodiments kennel 10 includesintegrated truss members 84, 86. A first integrated truss member 84 isformed along the roof and upper side walls of upper housing member 18.First integrated truss member 84 includes an integrally molded supportregion extending farther downwardly into the enclosure than thesurrounding inner wall regions, forming an integrated truss. Firstintegrated truss member 84 is located adjacent door opening 48 in someembodiments. Similarly, a second integrated truss member 86 is formedalong the inner wall of upper housing member 18 in some embodiments nearthe rear of the kennel. Second integrated truss member 86 may be formedadjacent rear wall 88 in some embodiments. First and second integratedtruss members 84, 86 provide additional structural rigidity to upperhousing member 18 and particularly to roof 16. This provides additionalstrength when kennel 10 is loaded externally from above or from thesides.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 11, in some embodiments, kennel 10 includesone or more non-skid feet 76 disposed along the bottom of kennel body12. Each foot 76 includes a not-skid material such as a rubber, polymer,urethane, etc. Each foot 76 protrudes downwardly from the lower outerwall on lower housing member 20. Each foot 76 may be integrally moldedinto the lower housing member 20 during a casting or molding procedure.Alternatively, each foot 76 forms a separate component that is installedon lower housing member 20 after molding. Each foot 76 prevents kennel10 from inadvertently sliding on a surface during use or duringtransport. Additionally, feet 76 may reduce or dampen vibrations felt bythe animal housed within kennel 10.

Referring to FIG. 16, one or more lock flanges 98 extend from kennelbody 10 in some embodiments. Each lock flange 98 includes a flangeincluding a hole or recess for attaching a lock, cable, tie-down orother securement device. Each lock flange 98 includes a structure thatmay be sandwiched or clamped between upper and lower housing members.Each lock flange may be removed when not in use by disassembling upperand lower housing members.

In some alternative embodiments, shown in FIGS. 17-32, variousadditional embodiments of an animal enclosure, crate or kennel areshown. Kennel 10 includes a door mounted on a hinge. The door includes adoor molded of a reinforced polymer material in some embodiments. Insome embodiments, the door includes a glass-reinforced nylon materialformed by injection molding. As seen in FIG. 17, the door is mounted tothe kennel along a vertical edge of the door. A piano-type upright hingeis positioned between the door and a frame member to allow the door topivot from an open position to a closed position relative to the kennel.

An embodiment of a door frame 200 is shown in FIG. 18. The door frameincludes a hoop-shaped frame formed of a rigid material such as metal,composite, polymer, or any other suitable material. The door frame 200may be mounted proximate to the opening of the kennel in someembodiments. The door frame is seated in a corresponding frame recess240 molded or otherwise formed in the kennel at the opening of thekennel. The door frame 200 may be secured to the kennel using one ormore mechanical fasteners such as bolts, screws, rivets, or othersuitable fasteners. In some embodiments, the frame 200 is fit in placeusing a mechanical interference fit or a friction fit with the kennelitself. The door frame includes a rigid one-piece material that is bentto match the shape of the opening in the kennel in some embodiments. Thedoor frame material comprises aluminum in some embodiments to providestrength and corrosion-resistance while also reducing weight of thekennel. The door frame 200 in some embodiments is held in place on thekennel using one or more threaded fasteners each inserted through a holein the frame 200 and engaging a corresponding threaded socket positionedon the kennel. In some embodiments, the threaded sockets are integrallymolded or otherwise embedded in the kennel. The door frame includes ahinge side 202 and a latch side 204. The door mounts to the frame on thehinge side using a door hinge 206 shown in FIG. 17. The door hinge mayinclude any suitable hinge.

In some embodiments, door hinge 206 includes a piano-type hinge having afirst hinge member 206 a attached to the frame, shown in FIG. 18, and asecond hinge member 206 b attached to the door 208, shown in FIG. 22.First hinge member 206 a is secured to the frame 200 using one or morefasteners in some embodiments. An intermediate mounting member, or jambplate 210 is positioned on the hinge side 202 of the frame 200 in someembodiments. The jamb plate 210 is secured directly to the framematerial, such as the aluminum bar forming the hoop-shaped frame memberin some embodiments. The jamb plate 210 may be welded directly to theframe material, or in other embodiments, the jamb plate 210 is securedto the frame material using one or more mechanical fasteners. The firsthinge member 206 a is secured to the jamb plate 210 in some embodiments.As such, the jamb plate 210 provides a mounting member on which to mountthe hinge 206 or a portion of the hinge. The opening of the frame 200has a tapered profile that narrows laterally at the top and narrowslaterally at the bottom of the frame opening. The jamb plate 210provides a continuous linear upright mounting location that spans asufficient vertical distance to mount a linear piano hinge in someembodiments such that the height of the hinge is proportional to theheight of the door. For example, in some embodiments, the hinge heightis greater than 50% of the height of the door. Providing a continuouslinear hinge height that is proportional to the height of the doorprevents the door from inadvertently twisting or flexing during use.

Opposite the hinge side of the door 202 is the latch side of the door204. The latch side of the door provides a location where the door latchmay engage one or more structures to secure the door in a closedposition. In some embodiments, a latch 242 is disposed on the door, andthe latch includes a latch member 243 protruding laterally from thelatch toward the kennel wall. The latch member 243 is selectivelymoveable to engage or disengage a strike plate for opening and closingthe door. In some embodiments, a strike plate 212 is mounted on thelatch side 204 of door frame 200. Strike plate 212 may be a separateitem that is fastened in place on the door frame using one or morefasteners in some embodiments. In alternative embodiments, strike plate212 is welded to the door frame member. In further embodiments, strikeplate 212 is integrally formed on the frame member material. The latchmember engages a corresponding recess or void in the strike plate tosecure the door in a closed position.

Referring to FIGS. 20-21, the hoop-shaped door frame together with thestrike plate and the jamb plate 210 form a door frame assembly. The doorframe assembly is installed on the kennel at the door opening. In someembodiments, the first hinge member is mounted on the jamb plate 210along the hinge side of the door frame.

Referring to FIG. 22, a door 208 includes a door hinge side and a doorlatch side. The door 208 includes a mating second hinge member 206 bmounted on the door hinge side of the door 208. The second hinge member206 b includes a continuous linear piano hinge member in someembodiments. Second hinge member 206 b may be fastened to door 208 usingone or more mechanical fasteners. In additional embodiments, secondhinge member 206 b may be integrally formed on door 208 or welded ondoor 208. Door 208 includes a door height H2 greater than the height ofthe door hinge H1. In some embodiments the ratio of H1/H2 is betweenabout 0.5 and about 1.0. In other embodiments, the ratio of H1/H2 isbetween about 0.7 and about 1.0.

Referring to FIG. 23, door 208 includes a plurality of upright door bars214 a, 214 b integrally formed in the door. The door bars 214 areseparated by gaps between the door bars. The gaps between the door barsprovide openings where air may circulate into or out of the kennel. Insome embodiments, a porous grille 216 is positioned between the doorbars covering the openings. The porous grille 216 includes a honeycombpattern in some embodiments, providing passages in the grille inside thehoneycomb pattern. The grille 216 operates to prevent an animal'sextremities from passing through the openings between the door bars insome applications. The door bars 214 and porous grille 216 are allintegrally formed in the door 208 in some embodiments. The door bars 214and porous grille 216 may be formed in an injection moldingmanufacturing process as a unitary, one-piece molding in someembodiments.

Referring further to FIG. 23, in some embodiments, door 208 includes adoor flange 209, also seen in FIG. 25. Door flange includes a portion ofdoor 208 that extends outwardly from the door around the perimeter ofthe door. In some embodiments, door flange 209 is continuous along thetop and bottom of the door and along the latch side of the door. Inother embodiments, door flange 209 only extends from the door along aportion of the perimeter of the door along the top or bottom of the dooror along the latch side of the door. Door flange 209 extends outwardlybeyond the opening defined by the door frame such that the door flange209 interferes with the door frame when the door is moved to a closedposition. As such, a portion of door flange 209 rests against theoutwardly facing portion of the door frame when the door is in a closedposition. The door flange 209 thus provides an angular stop for the doorwhen the door is angularly moved about hinge 206 relative to the doorframe.

As seen in FIG. 30, one or more non-skid feet are positioned on thekennel to support the kennel when positioned against a surface such asground, a floor, or the inside of a vehicle or truck bed. FIG. 31 showsa perspective view of an embodiment of a kennel with a door in apartially open position. FIG. 32 shows a left side elevation view of anembodiment of a kennel. FIG. 33 shows a right side elevation view of anembodiment of a kennel. FIG. 34 shows a bottom view of an embodiment ofa kennel. FIG. 35 shows a back elevation view of an embodiment of akennel. FIG. 36 shows a left side elevation view of an embodiment of akennel with a side opening grille installed. FIG. 37 shows a top view ofan embodiment of a kennel. FIGS. 38 and 39 show embodiments of a kennel10 including a door 208 secured to the door frame 200 at a continuouslinear vertical hinge 206. The hinge is secured to the frame using anintermediate jamb plate 210 to provide a vertical mounting location forthe hinge. The jamb plate 210 is secured to the frame using a fastener.In additional embodiments, the jamb plate 210 is a jamb memberintegrally formed on a portion of the door frame. In such embodiments,the hinge attaches directly to the door frame.

Referring further to FIG. 27, an embodiment of a kennel with a door inan open position is shown. Door 208 is attached to frame 200 using ahinge 206. Hinge 206 includes a first hinge member 206 a secured to thedoor frame 200, and hinge 206 includes a second hinge member 206 bsecured to the hinge side of the door 208. Hinge 206 forms a linearpiano-type hinge in some embodiments. Hinge 206 includes a verticalorientation in some embodiments. Hinge 206 is secured to door 208 usinga plurality of fasteners in some embodiments. First hinge member 206 ais secured to a portion of frame 200 forming a vertically-straight jambplate, providing a substantially flat, upright mounting surface forsecuring first hinge member 206 a in some embodiments.

Referring further to FIG. 27, door 208 includes a door flange 209extending radially outwardly from the center of the door panel. Doorflange 209 provides a flange member that rests against theoutward-facing portion 200 a of door frame 200 when door 208 is in theclosed position. Door 208 also includes an inner flange 211 protrudingfrom the door panel toward the inside of the kennel when the door is inthe closed position. Inner flange 211 provides an inwardly-extendingflange that provides structural rigidity to the perimeter of door 208.In some embodiments, inner flange 211 may engage an inward-facingportion of door frame 200 b when door 208 is in the closed position.Door 208 may open about 180 degrees in some embodiments when first andsecond hinge members are in a substantially co-planar orientation.

As shown in FIGS. 28-29, kennel 10 in some embodiments is configured toinclude one or more side grilles 220. Kennel 10 includes a plurality ofside bars provided on the sides of kennel 10. Side bars are separated byopenings that allow air to pass into and out of the kennel forventilation. Side bars may be oriented vertically or may also beoriented at an angle relative to the kennel. In some applications, theopenings between side bars are large enough to allow animal extremitiesto pass between the bars. One or more removable side grilles arepositioned on the kennel 10 to partially block the openings between sidebars. Side grille 220 includes a porous panel with passages that allowair to pass through the panel. In some embodiments, side grille 220includes a honeycomb profile with passages in the honeycomb pattern.Each side grille 220 may be secured to the interior of the kennel usingone or more grille fasteners 221. Each grille fastener 221 may engage acorresponding threaded socket in the kennel. Each threaded socket may beintegrally formed in the kennel body. Each side grille 220 may also besecured to the kennel using other types of suitable attachments. In someembodiments, one or more self-tapping screws may be installed throughcorresponding holes in the side grille directly into the kennel wallmaterial to secure the side grille 220 to the kennel.

Referring further to FIGS. 30-32, in some embodiments, kennel 10 isconfigured to allow hinge 206 to be mounted on either side of the kennelto allow for right-handed or left-handed opening. For example, as seenin FIG. 26, hinge 206 is mounted on the left side of the kennel suchthat the door 208 unlatches from the right side and pivots about an axisvertically aligned on the left side of the kennel. As seen in FIG. 30,hinge 206 is mounted on the right side of the kennel such that the door208 unlatches from the left side and pivots about an axis verticallyaligned on the right side of the kennel. Frame 200 and door 208, alongwith the hinge, the jamb plate and the strike plate form a door assemblythat may be detached from the kennel body. The door assembly may besecured to the kennel using a plurality of frame fasteners that extendthrough holes in the frame and attach to threaded sockets in the upperand lower crate members. When the frame fasteners are removed, the frameassembly may be removed from the kennel as a complete unit in a firstorientation 230 a, as shown in FIG. 31. The kennel opening and doorassembly are symmetrical in some embodiments such that the door assemblymay be simply flipped 180 degrees such that the latch and the hinge swapsides to achieve a second orientation 230 b, as seen in FIG. 32. Fromthis position, the door assembly may be easily re-installed on thekennel using the same frame fasteners, but with the hinge on theopposite side of the previous orientation. This allows the door to beconfigured in both left-open and right-open configurations using thesame hardware in an interchangeable manner.

Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of thepresent invention of a new and useful Animal Enclosure with Handles, itis not intended that such references be construed as limitations uponthe scope of this invention except as set forth in the following Claims

What is claimed is:
 1. An animal enclosure apparatus, comprising: akennel body including a rotational molded wall formed from a plasticmaterial, the kennel body defining an interior space shaped toaccommodate one or more animals, the kennel body defining a door openingshaped to allow the animal to enter and exit the kennel body; ahoop-shaped door frame disposed on the kennel body proximate the dooropening, the door frame including a hinge side and a latch side oppositethe hinge side; a frame recess molded in the kennel body around the dooropening, wherein the door frame is seated in the frame recess; aplurality of fastener holes defined in the door frame; a plurality offrame fasteners disposed on the door frame, each one of the plurality offrame fasteners extending into one of the plurality of fastener holesdefined in the door frame and also extending into the kennel body,thereby securing the door frame to the kennel body; a door pivotallydisposed on the door frame, wherein the door is pivotally moveablerelative to the door frame between an open position and a closedposition; the door including a plurality of upright door bars separatedby gaps between the plurality of door bars, and a porous grillepositioned between each of the plurality of door bars on the door, thedoor bars and porous grille integrally molded in a one-piececonstruction on the door; a strike plate disposed on the latch side ofthe door frame, the strike plate fastened onto the door frame using oneor more strike plate fasteners, the strike plate defining a strike platerecess; a latch disposed on the door, the latch including a latch memberprotruding laterally from the latch toward the strike plate, the latchmember selectively moveable to engage or disengage the strike plate foropening and closing the door, wherein the latch member engages thestrike plate recess when the door is in the closed position; the kennelbody including a first upper edge and a second upper edge opposite thefirst upper edge; a first handle positioned on the kennel body; and asecond handle positioned on the kennel body.
 2. The apparatus of claim1, the kennel body comprising a roof.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the first and second handles are disposed on the roof of thekennel body.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first handle islocated at a front position on the kennel body, and the second handle islocated at a rear position on the kennel body.
 5. The apparatus of claim2, the first handle comprising nylon webbing and a rubberized gripregion.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, the second handle comprising nylonwebbing and a rubberized grip region.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6,further comprising first and second handle fasteners disposed on thefirst handle, wherein the first and second handle fasteners secure thefirst handle to the kennel body.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, furthercomprising third and fourth handle fasteners disposed on the secondhandle, wherein the third and fourth handle fasteners secure the secondhandle to the kennel body.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein thefirst handle is removable.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein thesecond handle is removable.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, the firsthandle comprising nylon webbing and a rubberized grip region.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, the second handle comprising nylon webbing and arubberized grip region.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, furthercomprising first and second handle fasteners disposed on the firsthandle, wherein the first and second handle fasteners secure the firsthandle to the kennel body.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, furthercomprising third and fourth handle fasteners disposed on the secondhandle, wherein the third and fourth handle fasteners secure the secondhandle to the kennel body.